Disposable moisture proof absorbent/anti-microbial covers for exercise mats and exercise accessories

ABSTRACT

Exercise mats and exercise accessories are used on daily basis by a multitude of individuals throughout the course of the day. These exercise mats and exercise accessories can, and do, become contaminated with bodily fluids containing germs, viruses, and bacteria excreted by the individuals using the exercise mats and exercise accessories. It would not be conceivable or cost effective for the operators of gyms or exercise studios to clean and disinfect the exercise mats and exercise accessories after each user. 
     This invention is a simple, cost effective way of minimizing cross contamination and spread of germs, viruses, and bacteria amongst users of exercise mats and exercise accessories.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 61/520,137 filedJun. 6, 2011

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Research and development of the present invention and application havenot been Federally sponsored, and no rights are given under any Federalprogram.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a means of insulating a user of exercise matsand exercise accessories, for example yoga mats and exercise blocks,from coming into contact with bodily fluids that are excreted andsecreted from the body and may contain germs, viruses, and bacteria fromprevious operators of the same exercise mats and exercise accessoriesand to prevent the current operator from contaminating the exercise matsand exercise accessories, thereby minimizing cross contamination.

The present invention utilizes multi-layer, disposable, sanitary coversmade of moisture proof, absorbent/anti-microbial materials used toinsulate exercise mats and exercise accessories, minimizing the spreadof germs, viruses, and bacteria between users. These covers can beattached to the exercise mats and exercise accessories and secured inplace with either an elasticized band or adhesive strips, which are partof these covers. When an individual exercises, the body secretes bodilyfluids through sweat glands, which is a normal body function. Thesefluids can contain all types of germs, viruses, and bacteria, which cancontaminate the exercise mats and exercise accessories for the nextoperator. Exercise mats and exercise accessories are not always washedor cleaned between different operators use. Cleaning becomes theoperator's responsibility.

A present means of attempting to control this type of contaminationcaused by germs, viruses, and bacteria in these fluids is for theoperator to use a wiping cloth which contains alcohol or another type ofanti-bacterial ingredient, or a paper towel and spray bottle ofdisinfectant to wipe down the exercise mats and exercise accessories.This method does not provide complete protection for the new operatorsfrom exposing themselves to the contamination left by the previousoperators on the exercise mats and exercise accessories, exposing themto germs, viruses, and bacteria, thus posing a health risk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This present invention provides a cost effective means of minimizingcross contamination by individuals who use exercise mats and exerciseaccessories. The disposable mat and accessory covers are moisture proof,absorbent and anti-microbial. The covers contain multiple layers ofmaterial and incorporate an elasticized band or adhesive strips tosecure the covers to the exercise mats or exercise accessories. Themoisture barrier material of the cover prevents any bodily fluidssecreted by the operator from coming into contact with the exercise matsor exercise accessories while exercising. The absorbent/anti-microbiallayer performs three functions. One, it captures and contains theexcreted body fluids from the body including the hands, feet, buttocks,back, groin and chest areas. Two, it helps inhibit the growth of germs,viruses and bacteria providing an extra layer of protection for theoperator. Three, it provides a non-slip surface to allow for vigorousexercise by an individual. The anti-microbial barrier also helps protectthe operator from contracting any germs, viruses, or bacteria that maybe left on exercise mats or exercise accessories from the previousoperator while securing the covers to the exercise mats or exerciseaccessories. Prior to using the exercise mats or exercise accessoriesthe operator secures these covers to the exercise mat or exerciseaccessories. These covers are secured with either an elasticized band oradhesive strips, depending on the type exercise mats or exerciseaccessories. The elasticized band or adhesive strips are part of thesecovers. When the operator has finished using the exercise mat orexercise accessories, they remove these covers from the exercise mat orexercise accessories, and dispose of them in a proper receptacle. Thisreduces the likelihood of the exercise mat or exercise accessoriesbecoming contaminated for the next operator, thus minimizing crosscontamination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of this invention may be moreclearly seen when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 shows a view of a typical exercise mat;

FIG. 2 shows a view of one type of exercise accessory, a yoga block;

FIG. 3 shows a cutaway view of the multi-layer design material with themoisture barrier and the absorbent/anti-microbial layers;

FIG. 4 shows the underside view of the disposable, moisture proof,absorbent/anti-microbial cover with adhesive strips for securing thecover to the exercise mat;

FIG. 5 shows the underside view of the disposable, moisture proof,absorbent/anti-microbial cover with elasticized band for securing thecover to the exercise mat;

FIG. 6 shows the underside view of the disposable, moisture proof,absorbent/anti-microbial cover with adhesive strips for securing thecover to an exercise accessory, a yoga block;

FIG. 7 shows the underside view of the disposable, moisture proof,absorbent/anti-microbial cover with elasticized band for securing thecover to an exercise accessory, a yoga block;

FIG. 8 shows a view of the disposable, moisture proof,absorbent/anti-microbial cover with the adhesive strips used to secureit to an exercise mat, partially secured in place on a typical exercisemat;

FIG. 9 shows a view of the disposable, moisture proof,absorbent/anti-microbial cover with the adhesive strips used to secureit to an exercise mat, secured in place on one type of exercise mat;

FIG. 10 shows an underside view of an exercise mat with the disposable,moisture proof, absorbent/anti-microbial cover with the elasticizedband, secured in place on one type of exercise mat;

FIG. 11 shows a view of the disposable, moisture proof,absorbent/anti-microbial cover with adhesive strips secured in place onone type of exercise accessory, a yoga block;

FIG. 12 shows an underside view of a typical exercise accessory with thedisposable, moisture proof, absorbent/anti-microbial cover with theelasticized band, secured in place on one type of exercise accessory, ayoga block;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing that shows one type of exercisemat 20. FIG. 2 shows one type of exercise accessory, a yoga block 21.FIG. 3 shows a topside, cutaway view of the exercise mat cover 22, withmulti-layer design material with the moisture barrier layer 23, and theabsorbent/anti-microbial layer 24. FIG. 4 shows the underside view ofthe disposable, moisture proof, absorbent/anti-microbial cover 22 withadhesive strips 25 for securing the cover 22 to an exercise mat. FIG. 5shows an underside view of the disposable, moisture proof,absorbent/anti-microbial cover 22 with the elasticized band 26 aroundthe perimeter, for securing the cover 22 to an exercise mat. FIG. 6shows an underside view of the disposable, moisture proof,absorbent/anti-microbial cover 27 with adhesive strips 25 for securingthe cover 27 to one type of exercise accessory, a yoga block. FIG. 7shows an underside view of the disposable, moisture proof,absorbent/anti-microbial cover 27 with elasticized band 26 around thebottom edge of the cover 27 used to secure the cover 27 to one type ofexercise accessory, a yoga block. FIG. 8 shows a topside view of thedisposable, moisture proof, absorbent/anti-microbial cover 22 with theadhesive strips 25 used to secure it to the topside of an exercise mat20, partially secured in place on a typical exercise mat 20. FIG. 9shows a topside view of the disposable, moisture proof,absorbent/anti-microbial cover 22, secured in place on a typicalexercise mat 20. FIG. 10 shows an underside view of an exercise mat 20with the disposable, moisture proof, absorbent/anti-microbial cover 22with the elasticized band 26, secured in place on an exercise mat 20.FIG. 11 shows a cutaway view of the disposable, moisture proof,absorbent/anti-microbial cover 27 with adhesive strips 25 (shown withhidden lines) secured in place on one type of exercise accessory, a yogablock 21. FIG. 12 shows an underside view of one type of exerciseaccessory, a yoga block 21, with the disposable, moisture proof,absorbent/anti-microbial cover 27 with the elasticized band 26 aroundthe bottom edge of the cover 27, secured in place on one type ofexercise accessory, a yoga block 21.

While the invention has been explained by a detailed description ofcertain specific embodiments, it is understood that variousmodifications and substitutions can be made in any of them within thescope of the appended claims, which are intended also to includeequivalents of such embodiments

1. A disposable multi-layer moisture proof, absorbent/anti-microbialcover with an elasticized band or adhesive strips for securing thecovers to exercise mats and exercise accessories to prevent crosscontamination of bodily fluids containing germs, viruses, and bacteriaamongst the users of exercise mats and exercise accessories:
 2. Theclosure of claim 1 wherein the exercise mat covers are moisture proof;3. The closure of claim 1 wherein the exercise mat covers are absorbent;4. The closure of claim 1 wherein the exercise mat covers haveanti-microbial qualities;
 5. The closure of claim 1 wherein the exercisemat covers have a non-slip surface;
 6. The closure of claim 1 whereinthe exercise mat covers are disposable;
 7. The closure of claim 1wherein the exercise mat covers have adhesive strips to fit a varietymats;
 8. The closure of claim 1 wherein the exercise mat covers have anelasticized band to fit a variety mats;
 9. The closure of claim 1wherein the exercise mat covers can be made in a variety of colors; 10.The closure of claim 1 wherein the exercise accessory covers aremoisture proof;
 11. The closure of claim 1 wherein the exerciseaccessory covers are absorbent;
 12. The closure of claim 1 wherein theexercise accessory covers have anti-microbial qualities;
 13. The closureof claim 1 wherein the exercise accessory covers are disposable;
 14. Theclosure of claim 1 wherein the exercise accessory covers have adhesivestrips to fit a variety of exercise accessories;
 15. The closure ofclaim 1 wherein the exercise accessory covers have an elasticized bandto fit a variety of exercise accessories;
 16. The closure of claim 1wherein the exercise accessory covers can be made in a variety ofcolors;
 17. The closure of claim 1 wherein the exercise mat and exerciseaccessory covers can be made without anti-microbial qualities to offeran option for users who may have sensitivity to antimicrobial qualities;18. The closure of claim 1 wherein the exercise mat and exerciseaccessory covers are printable;